European Union
Conclusions from the 23 March 2023 European Council
Press conference following the March European Council
EU leaders discussed the latest developments in relation to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and continued EU support for Ukraine.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, joined the EU leaders via video conference. Competitiveness, single market and the economy, energy, external relations and other topics, including migration, were also discussed.
The European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s actions and unwavering support for Ukraine and its people.
EU leaders welcomed a resolution by the UN General Assembly on ‘Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine’, which was adopted in February and received broad support from the international community. EU leaders reiterated their support for President Zelenskyy’s peace plan.
The European Council called for:
EU leaders took note of the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Russia’s President and his Commissioner for Children’s Rights for war crimes.
They also welcomed the agreement to create the new international centre in The Hague for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
The European Union is firmly committed to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
European Council conclusions, 23 March 2023 Infographic – EU solidarity with Ukraine
Since the start of Russia’s war, the EU and its member states have made available around €67 billion to Ukraine and its people. They also adopted an unprecedented set of restrictive measures against Russia, which visibly affected its regime and its economy.
The EU remains committed to maintaining and increasing collective pressure on Russia through: EU leaders underlined the importance of ensuring the effective implementation of restrictive measures and preventing and countering their circumvention.
The European Union will intensify its work with partners to counter false Russian narratives and disinformation.
The European Council welcomed the agreement in the Council to provide Ukraine with 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition within a year.
EU leaders remain committed to supporting, along with partners, Ukraine’s repair, recovery and reconstruction by:
The European Union will continue to provide all relevant support to the Republic of Moldova to strengthen the country’s resilience, security, stability and economy and help it on its path to EU accession.
The European Council invited the Commission to present a support package ahead of its next meeting.
The European Council took note of the recent extension of the UN Black Sea Grain Initiative, underlining the substantial EU contribution to efforts to support the export of Ukrainian food through the EU solidarity lanes.
The European Union is building a robust and future-proof economy that secures long-term prosperity. This requires a deepening of the single market and reinforcing industrial, agricultural and trade policies.
Infographic – 30th anniversary of the EU single market
On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, EU leaders highlighted the benefits of the single market and supported a renewed focus on enforcing rules and removing barriers to cross-border business.
A well-functioning single market remains fundamental for the success of the green and digital transitions, for our future growth and for economic, social and territorial cohesion.
European Council conclusions, 23 March 2023 EU leaders called for ambitious action to:
With the aim of boosting the EU’s long-term competitiveness, the European Council called for work to be taken forward on:
EU leaders called for work to be taken forward on the European critical raw materials act and the net-zero industry act and took note of the revised state aid framework.
The European Council held a strategic discussion on the geopolitical aspects of trade and underlined the contribution of trade policy to the EU’s competitiveness.
Infographic – Council orientations for a reform of the EU economic governance framework Leaders endorsed Council orientations for a reform of the EU economic governance framework to make it fitter for current challenges. They were adopted on 14 March 2023.
In the framework of the 2023 European Semester, which is the annual cycle of economic, fiscal, labour and social policy coordination within the EU, leaders endorsed the draft Council recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area.
The European Council also endorsed the policy priorities of the annual sustainable growth survey and invited member states to reflect them in their national reform programmes and stability or convergence programmes.
EU leaders took stock of actions taken at EU level to address high energy prices, reduce gas demand, ensure security of supply and phase out dependency on Russian fossil fuels.
Leaders called on the Commission and the member states to ensure preparedness and contingency planning in view of the next gas storage filling and heating seasons. They urged all stakeholders to make full use of the EU Energy Platform to further improve the security of gas supplies at affordable prices.
The European Council invited the Commission to promptly finalise the assessment of the emergency measures adopted in 2022 and, where necessary, to propose the extension of their application.
Leaders asked the Council and the European Parliament to quickly agree on all relevant proposals to accelerate the green transition, and to take work forward without delay on the proposed revision of the EU’s internal electricity market design with a view to ensuring its adoption by the end of 2023.
Leaders also held an exchange of views with António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.
They agreed on the importance of EU-UN cooperation to tackle global challenges and stressed their shared commitment to multilateralism. The Council presidency and the Commission informed the European Council about progress in the implementation of its February conclusions on migration.
Leaders called for the swift implementation of those conclusions and will review it again in June.
EU leaders welcomed the:
The European Council also condemned the sentencing of prominent representatives of the Belarusian democratic opposition.
The European Council welcomed the UN 2023 Water Conference and its Water Action Agenda.
EU leaders acknowledged the need for enhanced EU and global action on water and underlined the importance of a strategic EU approach to water security.
In the margins of the European Council, a Euro Summit in inclusive format, with all 27 leaders, was held on 24 March.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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European Council, 23 March 2023
Main results
EU response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
Accountability of perpetrators
Sanctions against Russia
Military and defence needs
Recovery and reconstruction
Moldova
Global food security
A robust and future-proof economy
The EU single market
Competitiveness
Industrial policy
Trade
Economic policy coordination
Energy
EU-UN relations
Migration
External relations
Water security
Euro Summit
Press information
Press contacts
See full infographic 
See full infographic 
See full infographic 
Link: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2023/03/23/, dated March 24, 2023 4:59 pm
